phenix leather helmets

ive looked so please be gentle?? i own sam houston and love i me love it!!! how is the phenix only 55 ounces?? is it pleather like the paul conway?? sorry to you guys that own them i just do not like them!! i like the look of my some say it looks like a top hat sam houston!!! but its awesome!! just anyone that owns a phenix leather or have had the chance to wear one i would like some info on them, im just looking in case our department goes back to black and ive heard its bad luck to have ur helmet repainted? mine is not seasoned well but has seen a few fires since i bought it last yr. thanks for the info brothers and sisters

Awaiting delivery of my first TL-2.. should be here early next week. Not pleather, had the chance to see one up close at a convention, looks to be a really great helmet, slightly lighter and rides well. Best thing if you want more info is to go to 'phenix's' own website or try www.signal50.com which is where I ordered my helmet from.

If this thread is still around (doubtful) when I get the lid and have at least worn it on one shout, I'll update you.

ok thanks i own a sam houston and was just curious on how the phenix was all leather and to be so light? i emailed the guys at sig50 and got a great response back, thinking about ordering one? hope the wife dont read this!!

Well here's the update I promised.
Just as Portable75 mentioned above, the leather is soft.. you can bend the brim with just moderate pressure (it does return to normal shape).. the booklet states it was designed to be more flexible to help reduce shock to the wearer should something fall on the brim.. seems weird to me, but oh well.. The paint is less shiny and appears to flex with the helmet.. As for weight, much, much lighter.. feels like tactical tupperware from a weight point of view.

My only criticism so far is that the guts aren't as good as the Cairns.. the front band is plastic and rides up on my forehead (yeah, no hair for friction) plus it gives the helmet a slight wobble when you look up or down, plus I can feel parts of the plastic band digging into my scalp slightly (refer to the lack of hair comment above).

So take this info for what you will... It's a different helmet, best I could summarize it is tupperware for feel (negative) and weight (positive), leather for looks (positive).

‎"The education of a firefighter and the continued education of a firefighter is what makes "real" firefighters. Continuous skill development is the core of progressive firefighting. We learn by doing and doing it again and again, both on the training ground and the fireground."
Lt. Ray McCormack, FDNY

Not to cause a stir or problem... but every other thread with info on the phenix TL-2 has said that the helmet is a composite shell that is compressed between 2 peices of leather? Anyone know what I'm talking about?

‎"The education of a firefighter and the continued education of a firefighter is what makes "real" firefighters. Continuous skill development is the core of progressive firefighting. We learn by doing and doing it again and again, both on the training ground and the fireground."
Lt. Ray McCormack, FDNY

I bought one the same time my buddy bought an N5A. So far so good. The main thing I wish it had was the stout suspension of the Cairns helmets. I do believe, if I remember correctly from what the dealer had explained, that there is a plastic core to them. I'm not sure though. it is suiting me fine I've had it a few months and haven't abused it too much to tell what sort of punishment it will take. A big selling point was that it came NFPA compliant with a shield, cheaper than the N5A alone. I'm pleased so far with it. And, with the plyability of the leather you can bend "cowboy" up the brim which is sweet and makes it unique.

"Not for fame or reward,Not for place or rank. Not lured by ambition or goaded by necessity. But in simple obedience to duty as they understood it. These men suffered,sacrificed,dared all, and died. Let us never forget our fallen friends."